Organisms created with synthetic DNA

[lars63]

Organisms created with synthetic DNA pave way for entirely new life forms
E coli microbes have been modified to carry an expanded genetic code which researchers say will ultimately allow them to be programmed

From the moment life gained a foothold on Earth its story has been written in a DNA code of four letters. With G, T, C and A - the molecules that pair up in the DNA helix - the lines between humans and all life on Earth are spelled out.

Now, the first living organisms to thrive with an expanded genetic code have been made by researchers in work that paves the way for the creation and exploitation of entirely new life forms.
Scientists in the US modified common E coli microbes to carry a beefed-up payload of genetic material which, they say, will ultimately allow them to program how the organisms operate and behave.

The work is aimed at making bugs that churn out new kinds of proteins which can be harvested and turned into drugs to treat a range of diseases. But the same technology could also lead to new kinds of materials, the researchers say.

In a report published on Monday, the scientists describe the modified microbes as a starting point for efforts to “create organisms with wholly unnatural attributes and traits not found elsewhere in nature.” The cells constitute a “stable form of semi-synthetic life” and “lay the foundation for achieving the central goal of synthetic biology: the creation of new life forms and functions,” they add. Read More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/201 ... life-forms

[lars63]

So what do you think? Terminator is in our future?

[seremtan]

well what do you think Lars? do you think the Terminator is in our future?

i for one think that insanely expensive and yet desperately-needed life-saving drugs are in our future, not to mention our present

[CZghost]

This is very dangerous, playing with Mother Nature's creations. That may result in total destruction of our lives. Scientists said that if zombie apocalypse begun, manskind would be extinct in manner of months. Some immune would survive, especially those learned from videogames and movies But it will be very bare minimum. In that way the manskind would be virtually extinct. No social groups, no communities, no humanity. Just few survivors thriving and fighting for life. Walking Dead is something that may truly happen one day if manskind will be unaware...

[lars63]

well what do you think Lars? do you think the Terminator is in our future?

i for one think that insanely expensive and yet desperately-needed life-saving drugs are in our future, not to mention our present

Depends on how its handled, hopefully it will be used for life savings drugs like you say, looking back on our track record so far I have my doubts. Don't know if its the Terminator, walking dead or just a strain of virus we have no control over guess we will just have to wait and see won't we? So what do the rest of you think? Life saving drugs or the end of mankind?

[CZghost]

I see it painted black. Pretty much anything that can be considered good, may turn in hell. If manskind will develope some viruses that help to cure, Mother Nature may develope a mutued virus that may start killing again. That's something that people shouldn't play with. Too dangerous.

[Κracus]

I see it painted black. Pretty much anything that can be considered good, may turn in hell. If manskind will develope some viruses that help to cure, Mother Nature may develope a mutued virus that may start killing again. That's something that people shouldn't play with. Too dangerous.

Uhhh... ever hear of a pox epidemic? Black plague? Shit if it wasn't for antibiotics most members of this forum might be dead right now. The idea that we shouldn't pursue scientific research or technological advance based on fear is a very narrow minded view of the world and it's future. Even when you use one of man kinds most destructive technological achievements, splitting atoms, you still have to admit that despite the atrocities committed and the death toll that still pales in comparison to the billions of lives that have been positively affected by that same discovery. Of course, who needs electricity, modern electronics etc...

[AndyW]

Thats a nice topic!
Sadly my english skills are still on such a low-level that i cannot discuss to such a complex theme in the way i want to...
But im sure it will be used for biological-warfare in the future. So you can turn a whole country into cripples for generations. (not my english)
If they would use all that knowledge and focus on "creating" transplant-stuff... -that would be soo cool!
But they wont, and again its all just about the money.

[seremtan]

Uhhh... ever hear of a pox epidemic? Black plague? Shit if it wasn't for antibiotics most members of this forum might be dead right now. The idea that we shouldn't pursue scientific research or technological advance based on fear is a very narrow minded view of the world and it's future. Even when you use one of man kinds most destructive technological achievements, splitting atoms, you still have to admit that despite the atrocities committed and the death toll that still pales in comparison to the billions of lives that have been positively affected by that same discovery. Of course, who needs electricity, modern electronics etc...

[seremtan]

manskind

[Κracus]

Have you ever needed to take some? Common ailments that have antibiotics prescribed are in fact life saving. Even having a tooth removed can cause sepsis (sp?) and kill you. Antibiotics are invaluable for normal every day medical procedures.

[AndyW]

I smoke weed, so i dont need anti-fuck-medics!
Todays antibiotics are useless money-generating crap just by the fact that everyone use them for any stuff!
"Ooh, geeez! My car got stolen -im feeling bad" -take some antibiotics, just for sure...
If your living in a sterile temple of polished glass an simple influenca may kill you, caused by your weak immune system.

[MKJ]

Antibiotics are on prescription only in the Netherlands. They don't give it out for just anything.

[AndyW]

Antibiotics are on prescription only in the Netherlands.

Same here in Germany

[Κracus]

Same here in Canada..

I don't remember Andy being so retarded....

[AndyW]

Same here in Canada..

I don't remember Andy being so retarded....

LOL, why im retarded? Please tell me whats wrong with me.

[Κracus]

No.

[Don Carlos]

Antibiotics are on prescription only in the Netherlands. They don't give it out for just anything.

Same in the UK

[plained]

had an employee that is visiting India text and say he just bought antibiotics over the counter there!

[Whiskey 7]

Antibiotics are on prescription only in the Netherlands. They don't give it out for just anything.

I feel better and I haven't taken antibiotics for months, maybe a year or two.

OT: You need see a Doctor here to get antibiotics but thankfully they are waking up to the fact antibiotics are not thr be all and end all of medications.

A snapshot of the situation in Australia reveals a war that's not being won. In recent years, bacteria or 'superbugs' have adapted to resist multiple antibiotics including the 'last-line' drugs. Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as Golden Staph because of its colour on a laboratory plate, is normally harmless.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/anti ... erbugs.htm

[Captain]

had an employee that is visiting India text and say he just bought antibiotics over the counter there!

They also shit in the street and gang rape women. Lovely country

[Κracus]

For the record, I was referring to antibiotic use when it's actually required. Furthermore I was also suggesting that the discovery of antibiotics was revolutionary and we shouldn't avoid delving into scientific discovery.

[obsidian]

Scientists said that if zombie apocalypse begun, manskind would be extinct in manner of months.

[Citation needed]


If you consider how vaccines work, you'll realize that scientists twiddling around with microorganisms has resulted in a hell of a lot of good. Using genetics gives us even greater control and allows us to do even more good. The future of gene therapy will even allow us to repair our own genetic disorders, cure diseases and cancer. Or, I suppose you can be one of those anti-vaxxers and make up a bunch stuff appended with "[Citation needed]" because science is all just a bunch of "theories".

[losCHUNK]

had an employee that is visiting India text and say he just bought antibiotics over the counter there!

They also shit in the street and gang rape women. Lovely country

They also maim children to make begging more effective.

[obsidian]

But it's not all bad, I mean, they built the Taj Mahal which is a wonder of the world! Oh wait, they maimed all the craftsmen who built it...